GFS Worldwide
GFS Sri Lanka maintains links and regular communication between the GFS World Council & GFS countries and participates at the GFS World Council business sessions and presenting the Sri Lanka Country Report.
Sri Lanka-the GFS Host Country for the period 2023-2026
A very significant accomplishment of the GFS Sri Lanka is being appointed as the World Host Country for the period 2023 to 2026 under the World President, Ms. Jeanne Withanage and her world team of World Executives. Thus, the mantle of hosting the next World Conference in July 2026 falls on the GFS Sri Lanka.
The GFS World celebrates a rich history of 150 years in 2025!
GFS International
The GFS of Sri Lanka is affiliated to the GFS World Council, which comprises over 30 countries. The Executive Council, with the World President and other office-bearers, heads the World body.
The World President visits as many countries as possible, encouraging members and branches. Over the past few years, the World President, the World Immediate Past President and two Youth Leaders visited Sri Lanka. These are milestones in the history of the GFS.
The GFS World Day of Prayer is observed annually on the 29th September, and each year, a different country is assigned the task of preparing an Order of Service that is used by all GFS branches worldwide. In the year 2022, Sri Lanka was tasked with the preparation of the Order of Service.
GFS Countries
The GFS works in over 30 countries. Each country has many branches. They belong to various Dioceses within each country. Each Diocese has a GFS Diocesan President and a National President.
Strong communication links are maintained between the countries, which carry out programmes in keeping with their culture and traditions. Program ideas are exchanged as each country learns from the other, and prayer requests are shared. In addition, countries facing natural disasters or some adversity are assisted through the World Emergency Fund.
GFS World Council
A World Council is held every three years in a different country, and a new World President is installed by the Presiding Bishop / Archbishop of the particular Province/Country at a special Service. Countries vie for the World Project, which is awarded to a country every three years.
Each country is represented by a delegation comprising a senior delegate, a junior delegate and observers. For many years, Sri Lanka was represented only by a senior delegate. In 2014 and 2017, a three-member and a five-member group represented Sri Lanka at the World Council held in Wales, UK and Perth, Australia, respectively. For the first time in 2017, a member of the Pink Pearls (from Christ Church, Mutwal) was selected as the junior delegate to represent the GFS of Sri Lanka along with the senior delegate.
The World Council was held in Wales, UK and Perth, Australia